The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-17
DIR. NEwTON'S ESCAPE.
How the Episcopalian Clergyman Was Nearly
Converted by Henry George.

Special to the Indianapolis journal.
NEW YORK, july l6.--The story has never yet
been told of the narrow escape of the Rev. DIR.
Heber Newton from being caught in the meshes
amid which Father McGlynn is now f1oundering.
All New Yorkers are aware that the Rev. DR..
Newton. beside being an eloquent and scholarly
clergyman OF the Episcopal Church. has for
dozen years past been ranked among the social
reformers Of the city, and has written book
which shows his affiliations to be with very
radical school AS far back perhaps, as $780, he
ran small paper which advocated cooperation,
and last year he delivered course Of lectures for
workingmen upon the labor question. Long be-
fore McGlynn had identified himself
with the George theory of land
taxation Newton had been strongly tempted to
take it up the cure for all the social ills over
which he r,ourned. In this state of mind
George got hold of him, and he was soon
plying the Episcopal rector as he afterwards.
piled the Catholic priest Newton is
emotional man, as we'll as thecogian, quite
ignorant Of the wiles of the world and the laby-
rinths of political economy; and he became
deeply exercised over the novel theory which
promised so much more than all his philanthropy.
He was fascinated with the notion that the
crooked old world could all be Strengthened out
and the rough ris.ces all made smooth by mere
change in the Incidence of taxation" accom-
panied by brnss band. The thing wrought upon
his mind. He was besieeed by the promoters OF
the theory and visited their meetings At last,
three years ago, hs broach ed the subject in one
of his Sunday morning sermons in the pulpit of
his fashionabl church. and Mr. George happened
to be there and welcomed his new convert with
effuslon Soon afterward he was guest at a
dinner given by a coterie. AT which he was drawn
out a speech, and the guileless clergyman spoke
with fervor of the new hope of humanity. About
this time certain alleged heresies brought him
under the discipline of the Episcopal bishop.
just Father McGlvnn recently brought
under the discipline of the Roman Catholic arch
he pns recently
here quote from a statement made to me yester-
day by of his intimate friends who
said: '.The struggle in Dr. Newton's mind con-
tlnued up to the spring of last year. The George
theorists felt sure that they had captured the
eminent rector, and that he would be an acoui-
sition of incaculabie Importance to their side.
There were rumblings in his church we'll as in
his bosom. Mr. George urged him to resign his
pulpit. throw up his rectorship. and join him
apostle of the new gospel of taxation. The
memorable circumstances. Mr.. Newton took
counsel with some trusted friends. in an inter-
visw which lasted till the lonely hours of
the next morning. His mind was In . turmoil
as to his duty. He is brave man." contin-
ued my informant, land had ne seen the
George theory to be of Divine origin, claimed
by Father McGlynn at a later period, he would
have proudly and quickly thrown away the
world for it. But he wrestled with himself
in the quiet of Garden City, he began to see the
wisdom of the course which he subsequently,
pursued as rector of the Anthon Memorial
Church. He shook off the nightmare"
These revelations of my informant agree with
what had heard from other sources. When
the Labor party's campaign of last year in this
city had opened the Rev. DR.. Newton spoke at
the first meeting in Chckering Hail. which, by
the way, was the meeting at which Father Me-
Glynn made his first and last speech for George
during the campaign. That was the first speech
of Father McGlynn which brought upon him the
first censure and the first punishment from
Archbishop Corriean. The Rev. DR.. Newton
suffered neither censure nor punishment for his
speech, but he afterward appeared in
public as an advocate of Georges candidacy,
wholly retired from participation in the canvass
and ignored all arpeals~so come out as cham
pion os the cause. Thus the learned. eloquent
radical and sympathetic Episcopal divine took
a different course from that taken by the Rev.
Father McGlvnn. Early in the present year ne
sailed from New York to take up his residence
till next autumn in Europe. where he is
enjoying the calm needed for his minds relief.
1t is useless. at this time. to indulge in any
speculation as to what would have befallen the
Rev. DR.. Newton il he had taken the course that
has been taken by the Rev DR.. McGlynn.
@. BowERF.